FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

Genesis 3:15; [I John 1:5, 4:8]; John 3:16, 17; Luke 1:5-38; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-39; Matthew 2:1-23; Luke 2:39-41; Mark 1:1-11; Matthew 4:1-11; John 1:15-36; Luke 4:14-21

In Genesis, God’s plan for man was temporarily foiled by the serpent beguiling Eve and deceiving Adam. This caused the fall of man and the loss of that personal, intimate relationship with God and the God-given authority to reign upon this earth. Therefore, God gave His promise to send a redeemer, the promised seed, who would be the Passover Lamb of God. This “seed” was Jesus Christ.

One of the great attributes of God is that He is a great giver. We know that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. We know that God is love. These truths tell us that He is the great giver. In the context of John 3:16, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the difference between the earthly, fleshly birth and the spiritual birth, where God becomes our Father. God (the greatest lover) so loved (the greatest degree) the world (the greatest company) that He gave (the greatest act) His only begotten Son (the greatest offering) that whosoever (the greatest invitation) believeth (the greatest simplicity) in him (the greatest attraction) should not perish (the greatest promise) but (the greatest difference) have (the greatest certainty) everlasting life (the greatest gift). What a wonderful truth to share.

When we look at the records regarding the birth of Jesus, it is interesting to note how often individuals were told to “Fear not.” When God gives His Word, in order to receive the blessings, we cannot fear. There is nothing to fear in God’s plan of redemption. When Jesus was born, Simeon said he would be a light to the Gentiles and Anna spoke to all that looked for this time of redemption. The wise men knew who Jesus was.

As we read of Jesus’ early life until he was about 30 years of old, we see that he knew his purpose was to do his Father’s business. He knew who his Father was. When he opened his public ministry, he stated his purpose for coming. It was to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

God gave us so much in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. We should thank Him for it.